Two years ago, after he lost four consecutive fights, the WEC cut him. In the meantime, the Crystal Lake fighter has won three of his last four fights as he attempts to claw his way back into the big time.

Tonight represents his final hurdle in his comeback. Curran (31-13-1) will fight Billy Vaughn (9-7) in the main event of XFO 39 at the Sears Centre Arena in Hoffman Estates.

“If I can finish this guy off, most likely, I’m going back to the UFC,” Curran told the Sun-Times. “That’s where I want to finish my career —whether I’m successful there or not. I don’t want to go back to the drawing board. I’ve done it too many times in my career.”